LATEST: Arrest Made in Shasta Co. Show Dog Theft Case

A Seattle dog trainer on his way to a Vallejo show stopped for lunch in Redding. In less than three minutes, his van with 15 show dogs in it was stolen from the In and Out Burger parking lot.

Posted: Jun 6, 2018 5:17 PM

Updated: Jun 29, 2018 11:54 AM

Posted By: Lorraine Dechter and Spencer Joseph

Photo Gallery 6 Images

Redding Police have arrested one of two suspects in connection with the recent theft of a van that had 14 show dogs in it. 41 year old Benjamin Larson was arrested Thursday afternoon. Police say he is a parolee with an extensive criminal history. 28 year old Billie Jo Patterson is still wanted for the crime. Both men are from Redding. The theft happened on June 6 when the van and dogs were taken from the parking lot of the In-N-Out burger restaurant. They were found the next day in the south Redding area. The animals were okay and were reunited with their owners. The suspects face charges of animal cruelty, vehicle theft and possession of stolen property.

UPDATE 10:08 a.m. Friday, June 29, 2028

An arrest has been made in this case. Look back here in a few minutes for a picture of the person arrested, and for the person still wanted.

The name of the man who was arrested is Benjamin Larson of Redding. He is in custody. The man still wanted in relation to this case is Billie Jo Patterson of Redding.

UPDATE: 6/7/2018 11:15 a.m.

REDDING, Calif.-- The van that had been filled with the missing show dogs has been located, say Redding Police, and all 14 of the missing dogs were located inside the van.

The van was located at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning in a wooded area ner Valley Drive in Redding.

The dogs are being moved to Haven Humane, where they will be checked, but they appear to be in good health, said authorities.

Some of the dog owners have been reunited with their dogs. Later the dogs will be released either to their owners or to the dog trainer, Tony Carter.

Anyone with information that can assist Redding Police with this investigation are asked to call them and provide details.

REDDING, Calif. - A Seattle dog trainer on his way to a Vallejo show stopped for lunch in Redding.

When he went into the In and Out Burger on Dana Drive, the top-dogs and his van were stolen.

We have a photograph of the missing van, and pictures of some of the missing dogs. They all belonged to clients of trainer Tony Carter, who left his van running as he stepped into the In and out Burger Wednesday afternoon at 1:19 p.m. He said it was less than three minutes later that the culprit was caught on surveillance video driving off in the van.

Redding Police quickly sent out an investigative team to search for the missing van and the missing dogs.

The stolen van was a 2018 Dodge ProMaster Cargo Van with Washington license plate number BKD2048.

Some of the dog breeds that were taken include rat terriers, golden labs, and rottweilers.

Please contact Redding Police at (530) 225-4200 if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of the van or the dogs.